Redox-stimulated motion and bistability in metal complexes and organometallic compounds

Abstract

Significance: Control over reversible changes to molecular structure forms the basis for artificial molecular machines that could eventually lead to the development of molecule-based nanotechnology.

Recent advances: Particular applications in information storage and processing could emerge where the structural rearrangements give rise to bistability and molecular hysteresis effects.

Critical issues: Oxidation-state-dependent coordination and bonding preferences in transition metal complexes and organometallic compounds provide a versatile approach to the control of molecular motions by redox input, but so far, few structural motifs have been applied in redox-actuated molecular machines.

Future directions: Further progress toward molecule-based nanoscale devices might be accomplished with molecular components derived from a wider range of structural themes and forms of molecular motion. Examples of redox-stimulated rearrangements in metal complexes and organometallic compounds are described that have been employed in molecular machines or could be considered for the design of new functional molecules.